Virginia SOL Math / Grade 3 / Patterns, Functions & Algebra

3.PFA.1

Patterns

What you'll learn

  • Identify, describe, and extend increasing and decreasing patterns
  • Find the rule for a pattern
  • Create patterns using addition and subtraction

Words to know

Pattern —
an ordered set that follows a rule
Rule —
what to do to get the next term
Increasing —
the terms grow larger
Decreasing —
the terms get smaller

Why it matters Finding a pattern's rule lets us predict what comes next — in numbers, savings, seating, or seasons.

Worked examples

Model ItI do

Find the rule and the next term: 2, 4, 6, …

Each term is 2 more than the one before, so the rule is 'add 2'. The next term is 6 + 2 = 8.

Try It TogetherWe do

Describe the rule and extend: 30, 25, 20, ___, ___.

Each term is 5 less than the one before, so the rule is 'subtract 5'. The next terms are 15 and 10.

Now YouYou do

What is the rule for 5, 10, 15, 20, and what comes next?

Compare each term to the one before it. Check your answer in the back.

Practice

Mastered 0 of 11

Warm-up

Ease in with the basics.

  1. 1.Extend the pattern: 4, 8, 12, ___.

  2. 2.What is the rule for 5, 10, 15, 20?

  3. 3.Is 50, 40, 30 increasing or decreasing?

On Level

The core Quick Check from the book.

  1. 1.Extend the pattern: 3, 6, 9, ___.

  2. 2.What is the rule for 40, 36, 32, 28?

  3. 3.Fill the blank: 7, 14, ___, 28.

  4. 4.Is 100, 90, 80 increasing or decreasing?

  5. 5.Create a pattern that starts at 4 and adds 3. Write the first four terms.

Challenge

Stretch your thinking.

  1. 1.Find the rule, then fill both blanks: 45, 40, 35, ___, ___.

  2. 2.Fill the missing term: 6, 12, ___, 24, 30.

  3. 3.Create an increasing pattern that starts at 7 and adds 4. Write the first four terms.